Productivity


Mind Mapping

For mind mapping, my favorite web resource is Spicy Nodes. To use Spicy Nodes, the user inputs their information in an outline format. This makes it very clear for students to show how various concepts relate to one another. After all of the information has been entered, Spicy Nodes transforms the outline into an interactive mindmap format that can be saved and published to a unique URL. When the mind map is viewed, users can click on various "nodes" and they grow, shrink, and move around the page as you explore the map. The result is a professional-looking mind map. The site is so easy to use and instead of creating yet another username or password, you can log in using your google or facebook accounts. SpicyNodes could be used for individual student brainstorming, our whole-class outlines and presentations.
Spicy Nodes!

Scheduling

I think that Google Calendars provides some great options for libraries. I think it's very convenient that the calendar can be embedded into your current library website and you have the ability to color code various appointments so the user can easily see what is scheduled. This is a great option for teachers who want to be able to see when the library is free for classroom visits. This could also be used to schedule building computer labs and meeting spaces.
Google Calendar
Google Calendar Screencast


Screenshots

Kwout is a website that aims to help users "quote" information they find on other sites throughout the web. The site allows you to take screenshots of various websites and compile them onto one page. I think Kwout would be a good site for helping to compile background knowledge about something. You could quickly compile a page full of various website "quotes" and make the link available to share with other people. For example, I think one use for Kwout could be allowing your students to explore several different links about various topics that they could choose for a project. It would help them gain background information quickly and easily. I am hesitant to recommend quote for student use because some of the reviews I read mentioned that it can be technologically a little tricky to use.
Kwout